WWE Rumors: Buzz on Road to WWE SummerSlam 2016 for Week of Aug. 18

Sunday's WWE SummerSlam is just around the corner, and the rumor mill is in full flow once again as one of the biggest pay-per-views of the year approaches.

There is talk of a surprise return at this weekend's show in the weekly rumor roundup, as well as rumors surrounding a former star and a potential return to the company.

With the brand split still taking shape and both brands getting used to life on their own, this may not be the last we here about ex-WWE stars and their future roles with the company.

Plus, there's news on the introduction of one of the brand-exclusive titles in the coming weeks.

Here's what has been dominating the internet over the last few days when it comes to WWE rumors.

MVP Not Coming Back to WWE?

There have been so many rumors about former stars returning to WWE following the brand split that it has been difficult keeping up with the progress of many of them.

But one report this week features talk of a return, or lack of, to the company for MVP. He hasn't wrestled for the company since 2010 and was one of the former stars WWE reached out to about a return.

However, Dave Meltzer noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Wrestling Inc) that discussions between the wrestler and the company "are now dead."

It would be foolish to suggest anything Meltzer says is inaccurate, so it should be taken on good authority that any hopes of MVP coming back to WWE are indeed dead in the water.

However, with so many other guys coming back to beef up the rosters of both Raw and SmackDown, it's still an intriguing time for the company. 

Could We See Undertaker at SummerSlam?

It would have seemed a simply unthinkable prospect to expect The Undertaker at SummerSlam, but according to rumors online, it may be more probable than we thought. 

Taker hasn't been seen since WrestleMania season and his victory against Shane McMahon. However, one report online brought up the possibility of him turning up alongside Jon Stewart at this weekend's show.

That report comes from Cageside Seats, and although it is a brief note in its daily rumor roundup, it's a point of view well worth considering.

If Taker does show up, what can we expect from him? That's a whole different area of speculation, but one potential match for him to get involved in could be John Cena vs. AJ Styles.

That would enable him to distract Cena, let Styles win and set up a future feud with Cena.

However, until we know for certain Undertaker is going to be at SummerSlam, it's difficult to speculate on what he's going to do.

News on SmackDown's Women's Championship

WWE announced shortly after the brand split that it would be incorporating a second women's championship into its programming, with both brands getting an exclusive title.

It seems as if WWE is trying to get each and every one of the female competitors on SmackDown as much exposure as possible, to make them all seem like legitimate contenders for that belt.

And according to Cageside Seats, the women's title on the blue brand will be introduced around the time of the WWE Network Backlash special.

That show takes place next month on Sept. 11 from the Richmond Coliseum, giving the female stars on SmackDown a good few weeks to put themselves in a strong position for a first run with the belt, whatever it may be called.

Becky Lynch looks a strong bet to be champion at this moment in time, but that could all change this weekend if Eva Marie, Natalya and Alexa Bliss win this Sunday.